Tina Robertson

Discover The Secrets Of Ancient Egypt: Free Printable Hieroglyphics Alphabet

August 24, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a free printable hieroglyphics alphabet page to use while learning about Ancient Egypt. Also, look at my Ancient Civilization page for more Egyptian activities.

We’re exploring the amazing world of Egyptian hieroglyphs.

These incredible symbols were used by the ancient Egyptians to write and tell stories long ago.

Discover The Secrets Of Ancient Egypt: Free Printable Hieroglyphics Alphabet

Ancient Egypt was a land filled with towering pyramids, majestic temples, and mighty pharaohs wearing golden crowns.

This amazing civilization thrived along the banks of the Nile River over 5,000 years ago.

The Egyptians were known for their incredible achievements in building, art, and science.

Books for Kids About Ancient Civilizations

Also, add a few books about Ancient Civilizations to your unit study.

Too, when I can find them, I use living books.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus.

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings.

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events.
The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E.
This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories.

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.

Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Is your child fascinated by Ancient Egypt? if so then this Ancient Egypt themed activity book is just for them. This is a great book for boys and girls who have an interest in Ancient Egypt. This Ancient Egypt themed activity book will keep them entertained and happy for hours.

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors.

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

What humans call “civilization” didn’t always exist. We didn’t always live in big cities, have roads to get places easier, or grow food on farms. For a long time, humans were hunter-gatherers. Hunter-gatherers wandered from place to place looking for food. They didn’t build homes or stay in one place. The Sumerians, as far as we know, were the first people to start a civilization.

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

What Is History?
Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Ancient China
Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69) (For Kids series)

Cleopatra has been called intelligent and scheming, ambitious and ruthless, sensual and indulgent. This unique biography captures the excitement of her life story, including portions that have been largely neglected, such as her interest in literature and science and her role as a mother, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids also includes maps, time lines, online resources, a glossary, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to help readers better appreciate the ancient culture.

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

In addition, I’ve used many books as a main spine.

I prefer reference books but love some living books like Tales of Ancient Egypt and The Buildings of Ancient Egypt.

Next, here are some facts about the free printable hieroglyphics alphabet.

What Are Ancient Egypt Hieroglyphs

Imagine writing a letter with pictures instead of words.

That’s exactly what ancient Egyptians did.

Hieroglyphs are picture-like symbols that the Egyptians used to write their messages.

Each symbol, or hieroglyph, could represent a sound, a word, or an idea.

It’s like creating a secret code with drawings.

Ancient Egyptians used these symbols to write on tombs, temples, and papyrus scrolls (a kind of early paper made from plants).

Hieroglyphs were a big part of their daily life, religion, and culture.

What Do Hieroglyphs Look Like

Additionally, hieroglyphs come in all shapes and sizes.

For example, some look like real objects, like animals or tools, while others are abstract symbols.

Here are a few examples:

The Scarab Beetle 🪲: This beetle was a symbol of rebirth and protection. It was often worn as an amulet to bring good luck.
The Sun ☀️: A circle with rays represents the sun, which was an important symbol for the sun god Ra.
The Eye 👁️: Often used to symbolize protection and health. It was believed to ward off evil and keep people safe.

How to Read Hieroglyphs

Reading hieroglyphs can be a bit like solving a puzzle.

Here’s a basic guide to help you understand how to read them:

Top to Bottom: Sometimes, hieroglyphs are arranged in columns, so read from top to bottom.
Look for Symbols: Identify the symbols used. Each one represents a sound or idea.
Read Left to Right or Right to Left: Hieroglyphs can be read in both directions. Look at the way the characters face. If they’re facing the right, read from left to right. If they’re facing the left, read from right to left.

How to Use the Free Printable Hieroglyphics Alphabet

Besides having fun and creating their own codes, your kids will love the maze activity and doing a bit of writing.

The download includes the following:

2 mazes
Match the Word to the Picture Page
2 pages of tracing dotted letter words
1 Alphabet Hieroglyphic page to write their name and other activities
1 Alphabet Cards Hieroglyphic page

More Ancient Egypt Activities for Kids

How to Download the Free Printable Hieroglyphics Alphabet

Now, how to grab the free printable. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

August 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Teaching ancient history to young children can be daunting, make Israel crafts for preschoolers to simplify it and help them understand. Also, look at my Ancient Civilization page for more activities.

We’re making a mini-Torah Scroll as we talk about this important part of Jewish culture.

They are a reminder of the rich history and tradition of the Jewish people.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

The Torah is used for religious ceremonies.

For example, it is used at weddings, funerals and are also read in synagogue every week.

The Torah is the most important religious text in Judaism.

Judaism is a religion some people around the world follow.

Even if you’re not Jewish, the Torah is still important because it helps us understand different cultures and traditions.

Learning about it can help us appreciate the diversity of the world and the different ways people find meaning and purpose in their lives.

What’s Inside the Torah

It is a scroll that contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Each book teaches different things:

Genesis (Bereshit)-Tells the story of creation and the early history of humanity. Includes the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, and the Tower of Babel.

Exodus (Shemot)-Tells the story of the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt and their liberation under the leadership of Moses. It includes the Ten Commandments.

Leviticus (Vayikra)-Contains laws and regulations governing the lives of the Israelites. Includes instructions for sacrifices, festivals, and other religious observances.

Numbers (Bemidbar)-Tells the story of the Israelites’ journey through the desert to the Promised Land. Includes the census of the Israelites and the story of Korah’s rebellion.

Deuteronomy (Devarim)- Summarizes the law and history of Israel. Includes Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites.

Israel is very important to the Torah as it is a Jewish-majority state, and the Torah has a profound influence on the country’s laws, politics, and society.

Share some of these interesting facts about Torah Scrolls as you learn about and enjoy making Israel crafts for preschoolers.

You can include your older children as well.

Books About Ancient Civilizations

Next, look at these other books to include in your study about ancient civilizations.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

What Is History?
Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Ancient China
Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69) (For Kids series)

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

Additionally, look at these facts about the Torah.

9 Facts about Torah Scroll

The Torah lays out 613 laws for Jews to live by, including the Ten Commandments.
The Torah scroll is written by hand.
There are 304,805 letters in the Torah scroll.
The Torah scroll is divided into 54 weekly portions.
Torah scrolls are written on parchment, which is a special type of animal skin.
The text is written in Hebrew, and it is read from right to left.
Torah scrolls are very long, and they can be up to 100 feet long! They are kept in a special case called an ark.
The Torah scroll is usually read from a lectern called a bimah.
Torah scrolls are very expensive, a single Torah scroll can cost up to $100,000.

Additionally, look at more hands-on ideas to learn about Ancient Israel.

More Activities to Learn About Ancient Israel

You can use a map or atlas to help your child identify Israel on a map.

DK First Atlas is wonderful for young children and has a nice section on the Middle East, including facts, photos, and of course the map.

For another hands-on activity that focuses on ancient Israel try making these Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids to demonstrate how labor intensive life was for many during these times.

A wonderfully easy but impactful lesson, Color by Number Israel Map, lets children become familiar with the diverse geography of Israel.

This is a really cool experiment that models the Dead Sea in Israel, testing buoyancy of extremely salty water.

Finally, look at how to make mini Torah Scrolls.

How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

You will need:

Empty toilet paper rolls
Copy paper
Paint
paintbrushes
Glue
Craft sticks

First, paint both sides of the craft sticks.

If they are not long enough you may have to use two on each side to be sure that it shows out either end of the toilet paper roll.

Paint both toilet paper rolls your desired color, inside and out.

Allow the paint to dry completely and then glue the painted craft sticks inside the rolls.

Cut copy paper into strips just slightly smaller than the width of the toilet paper rolls-3 ½”.

You will only need a few strips.

Apply a thin layer of glue to one end of the strip with a paintbrush and overlap them making it as long as you would like.

Alternatively if you have paper on a roll you can use that instead.

Let your child write their name or something else on the strips. We decided to write the modern Hebrew alphabet.

Do this first in pencil. You can find a simple copy of the letters here on Wikipedia.

Now, have your child over it in marker or crayon to build writing skills.

Glue each end of the paper to either painted roll and hold in place until dry.

You can hold it down with a wooden clothespin for a few hours until dry.

The Torah is a special and important book with stories and lessons that can inspire and guide us all.

The Wonders of Nature: Free Color by Number Sloth Rainforest Habitat Page

August 22, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have a rainforest habitat color by number for our littlest adventurers. Okay, all ages can join in. Also, look at my pages Rain Forest – Amazon, Rain Forest – Animals of the Amazon, and Rainforest Activities for Kids.

We’re diving into the enchanting world of rainforests—a vibrant, complex habitat that plays a crucial role in our planet’s ecosystem.

Rainforests are often called the “lungs of the Earth”.

That is because they produce a significant amount of the world’s oxygen and are home to an astonishing array of plants and animals.

The Wonders of Nature: Free Color by Number Sloth Rainforest Habitat Page

Covering about 2% of Earth’s surface, rainforests house nearly half of the world’s plant and animal species.

Understanding this diverse habitat helps children appreciate the importance of conserving these vital ecosystems.

In addition, grab some of these fun books to read aloud.

Books About the Rainforest Habitat

When possible, I try to use living books.

Then add reference books about different animals that make their home in the rainforest habitat.

21 Rain Forest Animals For Kids Books and Resources

Add these rain forest animal books, games, and toys to round out your study of the animals of the rain forest.

Wildlife Animal Model Toy Red Eye Tree Frog Figure

It is a great way to expand the growth with children through physical science.

All the Way Down: Amazon Rainforest

This book explores the rainforest layer by layer and the creatures that make their home in each part of the rainforest.

Rainforest Animals (Who Am I?)

Which rainforest animal is a frog that uses its eyes to help it swallow its food? Which rainforest animal is a bird with a big, colorful bill? Let's learn more about rainforest animals such as sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and more! Read With You's Who Am I? series encourages children to be more curious about the world around them as they learn fun facts about animals from across the globe.

Over and Under the Rainforest

Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series that includes Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt and Over and Under the Snow!Under the canopy of the rainforest hundreds of animals make their homes, but up in the leaves hides another world. Turn the pages of this beautiful and educational book to discover in words and mesmerizing illustration:

Animals like the slender parrot snake and the blue morpho butterfly.

The canopies where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call.

Capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstorms.

Wild Animal Jungle Sloth Toy Figurine

Sloth Toy Figurine

In the Rainforest (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

The rainforest is home to millions of plant and animal species. Some animals live high up in the trees, some crawl across the forest floor, and some tunnel underground, but they all depend on one another and the rain to survive. With colorful illustrations and fascinating diagrams from author-illustrator Kate Duke, In the Rainforest is a lively look at the most vibrant ecosystem on our planet.

Anacondas (Rain Forest Animals)

This book introduces readers to the largest snake in the world: the anaconda. Readers learn about the life cycle, behavior, physical characteristics, and habitat of anacondas

Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals

Expanding the popular collection of animal books in the Learn to Draw Series, Learn to Draw Rainforest & Jungle Animals will teach kids how easy it is to draw a variety of exciting and exotic creatures from around the world. Each project starts with a basic shape and progresses with simple-to-follow steps to a finished realistic final colored artwork. While they’re learning, kids will also discover fun facts about each featured animal.

The Rainforest Grew All Around

Imaginations will soar from the forest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life in this clever adaptation of the song “The Green Grass Grew All Around.” The jungle comes alive as children learn about a wide variety of the animals (jaguars, emerald tree boas, leafcutter ants, sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and bats) and plants (kapok trees, liana vines, and bromeliads) living in the lush Amazon rainforest. Delve even deeper into the jungle using sidebars and the three-page “For Creative Minds” educational section.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals around the World

While it covers more than just the rainforest this is a fabulous resource to have on your shelves. You will find plenty of great pictures and information on many animals that live there- crocodiles, harpy eagles, monkeys, tapir , sloths,Jaguarundi, and the food web.

Rainforest Glow-in-The-Dark Puzzle, Rainforest Animals, Birds, Plants and More

COLORFUL ARTWORK: Kids will love the colorful puzzle artwork showing the animals, plants, trees and birds that call the rainforest home. The storage box shows the completed puzzle artwork and is an ideal place to keep pieces safe and free from damage.

The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

Tells a story of a man who came to cut down a kapok tree and encounters many of the beautiful and exotic native creatures who make their home in the Amazon Rainforest.

Professor Noggin's Reptiles and Amphibians Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: How about Reptiles versus Amphibians?! That's just one of the topic cards in this kids card game. Find out more fun facts from Eggs to the Komodo Dragon!

Rainforest Gummi Frogs Candy

How fun!

FRESH & FRUITY: Fruidles single-flavor gummies pack giant taste into one delicious flavor. After one bite of these fruity gummies, you'll taste the difference of giant fresh fruit flavors & a deliciously soft chew you won't find with other gummy candies.

Hello, World! Rainforest Animals

This bright and exciting Hello, World! board book teaches toddlers all about the amazing world of a rainforest—with easy-to-understand facts about the incredible animals who make their home there.

Where Is the Amazon?

Human beings have inhabited the banks of the Amazon River since 13,000 BC and yet they make up just a small percentage of the "population" of this geographic wonderland. The Amazon River basin teems with life—animal and plant alike.

Canopy, Card Game, Features 25 Unique Species of Rainforest Animals and Plants

Compete to grow the most bountiful rainforest! Carefully select what grows in your forest, and give rise to a thriving ecosystem.

LEGO Creator Rainforest Animals

Features a frog, a fly and a parrot with articulated wings and tail, opening mouth and rotatable eyes 3-in-1 model: rebuilds into a chameleon or a tropical fish

Afternoon on the Amazon

Vampire bats and killer ants? That's what Jack and Annie are about to run into when the Magic Tree House whisks them away to the Amazon River. It's not long before they get hopelessly lost. Will they be able to find their way back to the tree house? Or are Jack and Annie stuck forever in the rain forest?

Red-eyed Tree Frog (Scholastic Bookshelf)

NatureI n a tropical rain forest in Central America, a red-eyed tree frog spends the night looking for food while avoiding potential predators. Award-winning photographer Nic Bishop's larger-than-life, gorgeous images document the hunt, which ends happily with the frog settling down in the leaves to spend his daylight hours sleeping! Joy Cowley's simple, readable text makes the frog's story fun, interesting, and accessible to young readers.

Protecting the Amazon Rainforest (Saving Earth's Biomes)

Explores the richness of the Amazon rainforest, how humans have damaged it, and efforts being taken to protect it. Clear text, vibrant photos, and helpful infographics make this book an accessible and engaging read.

To make learning about these incredible environments even more fun for your kids, I’ve got a special treat: a free color by number activity.

This will bring the magic of the rainforest to life right on your table.

This activity not only provides a creative outlet but also reinforces knowledge about rainforest inhabitants and their colorful world.

Layers of the Rainforest Facts

Next, look at these facts about rainforest habitat facts.

Rainforests have different floors. Each floor is called a layer, and each layer is home to different animals and plants.

Forest Floor: This is the bottom layer.

It’s dark and a bit damp, but it’s where you’ll find the coolest stuff like mushrooms, decomposing leaves, and maybe even a camouflaged frog or two!

Emergent Layer: This is the top layer, where the tallest trees poke out above everything else.

Birds like eagles and butterflies love to soar in this high-up space.

Canopy Layer: Right below the emergent layer, the canopy is like a big green roof made of tree leaves.

It’s super crowded here with animals like monkeys, tree frogs, and colorful birds.

Understory Layer: This layer is a bit darker and cooler.

Here, you might find snakes, insects, and small animals sneaking around in the shadows.

Additionally, look at these fun facts about sloths.

Meet the Sloth in the Amazon Rain Forest

Sloths are unique animals that live high up in the trees of the Amazon rainforest.

They have long, curved claws that help them hang from branches and move through the trees with ease.

Sloths are famous for their super slow movements.

They move so slowly that sometimes algae, a type of green plant, grows on their fur!

This makes them look a bit green and helps them blend into the leafy trees.

Sloths are excellent climbers.

They spend most of their lives hanging from trees, using their long claws to grip branches. They even sleep while hanging upside down.

Also, look at more rainforest fun facts.

More Rainforest Habitat Activity

How to Get the Free Color by Number Sloth Rainforest Page

Now, how to grab the free color by number freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.

2) Grab the freebie now.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Exploring The Ocean With Ice Experiments: Simple Sea Animal Rescue

August 21, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Hands-on easy ice experiments are a fun way to learn about the amazing ocean. Look at my page free Ocean Unit Study and Ocean Lapbook.

Are you ready for an adventure into the icy realms of the ocean?

Imagine a place where the sea is so cold that it’s covered in huge sheets of ice.

Even in these chilly waters, you can find some amazing sea animals who call this frosty place their home.

We’re learning about some of these animals and doing an easy sea animal ice rescue.

Exploring The Ocean With Ice Experiments: Simple Sea Animal Rescue

Imagine a sea animal like a seal or a walrus trying to swim or rest, and suddenly, they find themselves stuck on a piece of floating ice.

It sounds like a scene from an adventure movie, but it’s a real challenge for these amazing creatures.

Sometimes, ice floes can break apart, or sea animals can become stranded in areas where the ice isn’t melting fast enough.

Books About the Ocean for Kids

First, look at these books you want to have in your home library.

I prefer living books when I can find them. Then add reference books.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet!

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages.

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Also, look at some facts about the sea animals.

4 Cool Sea Animals

Let’s dive in and meet some of these cool creatures!

Here are some facts about sea animals.

1. Icefish

Icefish are a group of fish that live in the icy waters of the Antarctic.

They have a super cool adaptation,

They don’t have red blood cells! Instead, their blood is clear and helps them survive in the freezing temperatures.

Icefish have special proteins that keep their blood from freezing, so they can swim around and hunt for food in the super-cold water.

2. Beluga Whales

Beluga whales are another fascinating Arctic resident.

Known as the “canaries of the sea,” belugas are famous for their wide range of sounds and whistles.

They have white skin, which helps them blend into the icy waters and also keeps them warm.

Beluga whales are social animals and often travel in groups called pods, chatting away with their squeaks and clicks.

3. Polar Bears

Also, learn about the polar bears.

These big, fluffy bears are not actually sea animals, but they live in the icy Arctic region and spend a lot of time on sea ice.

They’re fantastic swimmers and can paddle through the icy waters to hunt for seals.

Polar bears have thick fur and a layer of fat to keep them warm in the freezing temperatures.

4. Narwhals: The Unicorns of the Sea

Now let’s meet the narwhal, often called the unicorn of the sea.

Narwhals are whales with a long, twisted tooth that can grow up to 10 feet long—almost like a giant, spiraled horn!

They live in the Arctic Ocean and use their “horn” to help them find food and navigate through the ice.

They are really good at swimming under the ice and have a special ability to use sonar to find their way around.

Also, look at this beautiful picture book Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau.

More Ice Experiments

And look at these ocean hands-on ideas.

Ocean Activities for Kids

Additionally, look at these ways to expand ice experiments for different ages.

3 Ways to Expand Learning About Ice

Understanding Freezing and Melting: Learn how temperature changes affect solid and liquid states.
Marine Life Awareness: Discuss the types of sea animals used in the experiment and their natural habitats.
Environmental Impact: Reflect on how climate change and melting ice can impact marine ecosystems.

Finally, look how easy you can make this fun sea animal ice rescue.

Fun Sea Animal Ice Rescue

Rescuing a sea animal involves a lot of careful planning.

Besides giving your children a few extra tools explain to them how we need to be aware to spot animals in trouble.

For example, it could be binoculars, helicopters or even drones.

Look at this list of supplies.

Ice tray
Sea animal toys
Water
Container
Stones or toy hammer
magnifying glass
salt to see what it does to the ice
warm water. How does the ice react?

Optional: poster board or mat for outdoor use

First, place one sea animal in each section of the ice tray.

For this activity, I allowed for part of the sea animal (example: the tail) to stick out a bit.

This way your child had something to grasp onto when engaging with this activity.

Fill the ice tray with water.

Place in the freezer until frozen.

Remove from the freezer.

Place the frozen sea animal ice cubes into a bin.

Allow the child to engage with the activity, using stones or toy hammers/objects to try to break the ice away from each sea animal.

This is a great activity to do outside during a sunny day or to learn about a winter unit.

The best part about sea animal ice rescues is seeing these amazing creatures return to their homes and continue to thrive.

Fun Preschool Beaver Craft: Simple Projects for Little Hands

August 20, 2024 | Leave a Comment
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This preschool beaver craft provides an opportunity for your preschooler to learn about beavers. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

And they learn about beaver’s habitats but encourages creativity and fine motor skills development.

This time we sewed up our craft on the sewing machine.

So, this is a great basic shape to introduce a child to the basics of sewing on a machine.

It introduces a very simple pattern.

Fun Preschool Beaver Craft: Simple Projects for Little Hands

It allows them to learn how to move the material carefully through the machine as it sews, enjoy filling it, and the reward of the finished product!

However, if you would like to sew this by hand or glue it instead.

I tried to keep the instructions very simple.

So that it is easily adaptable to any method you would like to use.

We are bringing these fascinating semi-aquatic animals to life through our craft to deepen a child’s understanding of the natural world.

Besides, the best way to learn is enjoying a fun and engaging hands-on experience.

I think that they make a wonderful subject for a unit study.

To help you put one together. I have facts and plenty more craft and activity ideas to make it full and interesting.

5 Preschool Beaver Facts

Beaver teeth are actually orange not white; their long incisors get their orange color from an iron-rich protective coating of enamel.
Beavers are amazing animals that live in North America and Europe. They are known for their big, flat tails and their ability to build dams.
And they use their tails to help them swim, to slap the water when they are in danger, and store fat for winter.
They work together to build dams and lodges out of sticks and mud. Dams help to create ponds, which provide beavers with a safe place to live and raise their young- they make great nurseries.
Beavers also use their dams to store food for the winter, smaller logs and twigs.

Next, look at more hands-on activities to learn about beavers.

Preschool Beaver Craft and Activity Ideas

We love a fun puppet and paper bags make a great inexpensive craft supply give this Easy Paper Bag Beaver Craft a try.

A really hands-on activity for younger children this Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam teaches early engineering skills, exploring senses, animal science, and more.

Make a Beaver Paper Plate Craft for Kids {Booking Across the USA}, a quick inexpensive and easy craft while you learn about beavers.

I think that these No-Bake Beaver Dam Cookies are a must for any beaver unit, a tasty way to demonstrate how and why they build them.

This is a really gross but fun idea I had that includes beaver scat-10 Gross Scat Facts and How to Make Edible Scat.

Watch this cute and informative 3 minute video on All ABout Beavers for Children.

Finally, look at how to make this stuffed beaver craft.

Stuffed Preschool Beaver Craft

You can either sew this by hand, use a sewing machine, or even put it together with hot glue or fabric glue as well.

You will need:

Medium brown felt
Dark brown felt
Needle/thread or sewing machine
2 googly eyes
Scissors
Hot glue gun

First, fold your light brown felt in half.

Cut an oval shape out of both pieces at the same time making one end more narrow for the head.

Use another piece of brown felt to cut out four webbed feet or use the scraps that are left from cutting out your oval shape.

Be sure to leave them a little long so you have excess to attach inside the

Fold your dark brown felt in half and cut a tail and two small ear shapes.

Cut out two large teeth from white felt.

Make them a little longer than you want them.

You will be tucking some inside.

Lay out one of your cut light brown pieces.

Use hot glue, fabric glue or some other type of glue to quickly tack the feet and tail pieces into place.

Lay the second tail piece on top and then the second body piece to line up your edges.

Flip it up and attach the tail to the other piece of body, keeping everything aligned.

You can use pins to line up your edges if you like.

For quick projects like this I thought it would be a simpler first time preschooler project to avoid them.

Start just outside the tail and sew a quarter of an inch from the edge all the way around stopping on the other side right at the tail.

Stuff the body as full as you would like with cotton batting through the tail opening.

Now sew the tail.

Sew all the way around the tail, securing across where it comes out from the body.

Leave a couple inches for stuffing.

Fill the tail with cotton batting.

Since beavers have a large flat tail, we didn’t add as much stuffing to the tail.

Attach the eyes and ears with a little bit of hot glue.